Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema has been named alongside global superstars like Katy Perry and Future to headline one of three historic 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies in the United States.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has been selected as a headline performer for the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The announcement was made by FIFA on Saturday via its official social media channels, positioning the “Calm Down” singer among a prestigious lineup of international music icons.
Rema will be joined on stage at the Los Angeles Stadium by South African breakout star Tyla, American rap titan Future, pop icon Katy Perry, Brazilian singer Anitta, and K-pop sensation LISA of BLACKPINK. This star-studded group is set to launch the tournament’s U.S. leg on June 12, 2026, in what FIFA describes as a “historic summer” for North American sports and culture.
For the first time in the history of the tournament, FIFA will host three distinct opening ceremonies across the three host nations. The schedule includes:
- Mexico City: June 11, 2026 (Estadio Azteca)
- Toronto, Canada: June 12, 2026
- Los Angeles, USA: June 12, 2026
FIFA President Gianni Infantino noted that the diverse lineup reflects the “cultural power of the tournament” and the unique diasporic influences within the host countries. The Los Angeles ceremony is expected to begin 90 minutes before the United States plays its opening match against Paraguay.
The inclusion of Rema and Tyla highlights the skyrocketing global influence of African genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano. Rema’s selection follows his historic 2023 performance at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, further cementing his status as a premiere global ambassador for Nigerian music.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest edition to date, featuring 104 matches across 16 cities. The tournament kicks off on June 11 with a highly anticipated opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium, while the final will take place on July 19, 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.